By 7.15pm the group had returned to the bus, but there was a delay when Leonard failed to turn up.

An argument broke out between the defendant’s sister and others and tensions increased when the driver mentioned a possible £1,000 penalty.

Leonard, who is now 20 weeks pregnant, eventually arrived 10 minutes later but on the journey home the row carried on, with the defendant “aggressive and foul-mouthed”.

Alexander Davies, prosecuting, said "drink was consumed throughout the day" by the group although McAndrew had stopped drinking by late afternoon.

On the journey back to Birmingham the argument "persisted" although Mrs McAndrew had tried to act as a peace-maker telling everybody to quieten down.

However at one point Leonard had come up to her and asked "Have you got a problem with me?"

Mr Davies said one of the group was also involved in some kind of "physical altercation involving her luggage."

Mrs McAndrew decided to get off the bus early and called for her husband to pick her up.

"The defendant grabbed her by her hair and punched her several times in the face. She was knocked to the floor and the defendant was on top of her and bit her hard to the left side of her face."

Mrs McAndrew later needed 15 stitches to her wound and has been left with permanent scarring.

The bus driver had pulled Leonard off of Mrs McAndrew although two of the group then tried to prevent him holding her back before the police arrived.

Joseph Keating, defending, said his client was extremely remorseful and the incident had had a big impact on her.

He added "She understands that her actions were completely out of all proportion in the circumstances."

He said that Leonard and her partner wanted to start a family in Ireland but this incident had "completely turned her life around."

She was now unemployed and living off financial support from family and friends.

In passing sentence Judge Peter Carr said "On June 20 last year you and others decided to go to Ascot Ladies Day. It is plain from what happened there after that you had far too much to drink. You were late back to the coach. Once you were on it there is plain evidence that you were aggressive towards Mrs McAndrew and foul mouthed.

You were told to behave yourself but you did not heed the warning.

Mrs McAndrew got off the bus before the stop she was due to get off. You got of as well.

Without provocation, no doubt because of what happened earlier, you attacked her, punching her several times. But the real vile aspect of this case is the fact that you bit her."

He said the victim now suffered from a lack of confidence and was fearful of going out.